a lot of names...
shocker...
wake me up when there is some news, like how the f#$k the Rockies won the pennant!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Fly Like A Falcon?!
So Bobby Petrino leaves his Atlanta contract to go back to college...
sound familiar?
Nick Saban did it to the Miami Dolphins and Billy Donovan did it to the Magic (and that's just in the last year)
but what makes this story different
well, for one
Nick Saban left a powerhouse at LSU to go to the Miami Dolphins and when it was clear things weren't working out he headed right back to the greener pastures of college football. Yes it was clear that Saban worked the system for a BUTTLOAD of money, but even worse the team he left behind is one of the NFL's most storied franchises and now is desperately trying to avoid the inevitable karma of constantly rubbing 17-0 in everyone's faces. Now are the winless Dolphins Saban's fault? probably not but it still can't be overlooked.
Donovan pretty much gets an exemption because he was the head coach of Orlando for all of a weekend...
but Petrino is different. Petrino was hired when he (and everyone else in the world) believed that the most exciting player in football would be on the field for him. While what has happend to Mike Vick is not the Falcon's fault it nevertheless changes the face of the team and I believe that Petrino should've been able to leave then. When a school fires a coach it's recruits can opt out of their letters of intent. The same is the same with certain players, Mike Vick isn't just some quarterback he is arguably the greatest Athlete in the game, take him out of the equation and Petrino never leaves Louisville.
oh and what do Saban, Donovan and Petrino have in common?
the Selfish Egotistical Coaches...one of the marquee collegiate conferences
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
They Are Who We Thought They Were!
so it took me a few hours to digest tonight's MNF game...this was for a number of reasons
1) I wanted to hold on to this game for as long as possible because next week's Saints/Falcons match-up is not what I would call must see tv
2) There were so many different angles to the game on which I could write that I wanted to try and find a good one
and finally
3) I couldn't get the image of Brian Billick and Rodney Harrison making out, out of my head
so after all of that I came up with some observations...
Why is it that when a team wins a game like this they are "doing what champions do", it would seem to me that it makes more sense for champions to simply win... I'm not saying that The Patriots aren't by lightyears the best team in the NFL, but what I am saying is they had no business winning tonight's game.
Ex 1- In the final Patriot drive, it was 2 bonehead plays by the Ravens (the first 4th down time out and the 2nd 4th down holding call) and 1 by the Patriots (Faulk running out of the bounds a yard short of the first) that kept the game alive. For all intent an purposes the game was over and the 72 Dolphins could pop that champagne.
Ex 2- The ravens were fired up, Ed Reed/Ray Lewis/Willis McGahee all wanted this win for Sean Taylor and the three of them did everything they could to win this game unfortunately Kyle Boller, 3 yards and perhaps destiny stood in their way
so basically if the Patriots can survive next week's test against the Steelers then it should be smooth sailing til week 17 when they play the Giants to end the season...
destiny can be a real bitch
Monday, December 3, 2007
The Final Countdown
It seems that UCLA may finally make that big break in the Pac-10
sources indicate that some time this week Karl Dorrell will be fired.
Admittedly I am not a UCLA fan, but I think that makes how bad Karl is even more obvious. The win that kept his job (13-9 over USC last year) can be directly credited to his Defensive Coordinator. Throughout his tenure he has shown game in and game out that he is not up to coaching a program that wants to be counted among the best of one of the nation's elite conferences.
Reportedly the candidates for the position are Boise State coach Chris Petersen, Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, and Former 49ers/Cal coach Steve Mariucci
Chris Petersen- Petersen would bring the Boise State underdog with something to prove mentality that is a staple of Boise State. In addition Petersen is what Dorrell wants to be, Dorrell takes risks without understanding the whole situation, Petersen understands the situation and takes the risk anyway (ex, 2007 Fiesta Bowl)
Mike Leach- UCLA's offense would certainly get a boost from the gun slinger. The staple of Leach's Texas Tech teams have been high powered offenses. Offenses like that don't normally succeed in the defensively minded Big-12, but in the Pac-10 Leach could thrive. Leach also isn't afraid of the media and that is big for a coach in L.A.
Steve Mariucci- Mariucci is no stranger to the Pac-10 serving as a coordinator and coach for Cal. He also is no stranger to California from his years as head coach of the 49ers. Mariucci is a big name choice to head this program, he also has big time pro experience, but that doesn't always mean success because the two levels of play are so different. I think that his name might push him as the leader for the position even though he might not be the most deserving.
personally I think all three of these guys would be good choices for UCLA. For the benefit of Boise State and of the eventual demise of the BCS and the rise of the WAC I think Petersen needs to stay at Boise State. Mariucci is a great commentator and doesn't need the stress of coaching and be compared to the juggernaut across town. Leach would be the best decision and would be a very good head coach, especially if UCLA can keep defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker
Sunday, December 2, 2007
BCS Bowl Selection Show
so let's see how the BCS shapes out for this year...
quick question...biggest shock of the year?
any ideas?...
really I think you have to go with Appalachian State because after that nothing seemed impossible...beating perennial powerhouse Michigan (even in a down year) at The Big House is still impressive
alright here we go your 2008 BCS Bowl Matchups
Suger Bowl (Jan 1)
#10 Hawaii vs # 4 Georgia
this is a great chance for Hawaii and unlike last year with Boise State, people believe that Hawaii has a legitimate shot at winning, so instead of shocking the world they will prove that they deserve the recognition of any of the regular powerhouses
Rose Bowl (Jan 1)
#7 USC vs #13 Illinois
very good classic Big Ten-Pac 10 match-up, it'll be nice to see what Juice Williams can do against a very very good USC defense, and what the running backs of USC do against the staunch defense of Illinois that was able to shut down then and now #1 Ohio State
Fiesta Bowl (Jan 2)
#4 Oklahoma vs #9 West Virginia
this game features 2 of the best qbs in the nation. Sam Bradford is young and gutsy and has a cannon, Pat White is older, more mature and has wheels for legs. The two defenses better be ready for what their gonna be facing on the other sideline
Orange Bowl (Jan 3)
#3 Virginia Tech vs #8 Kansas
How will the spread offense of Kansas fair against the tough defense of Virginia Tech, emotionally a VT win would be great, but Kansas has been a great story all season. This will be a must see game.
National Championship (Jan 7)
#1 Ohio State vs #2 LSU
call me crazy, but I just can't get excited about this game... neither Ohio State or LSU impressed me much this year, so the game should be a good proving ground for both teams.
so here's my question... Kansas and Georgia both finished 3rd in their conferences so i don't think its fair to let them play in front of teams like Arizona State and Missouri who finished 2nd in their conferences (Missouri actually BEAT Kansas)
Johan Santana
Does it make sense for the team with best 3 man rotation in baseball (Beckett, Schiling, Dice-K) to trade a great young productive player for ANOTHER pitcher?
i mean you can't go wrong with great pitching, but really its just seems to me to be much more logical to keep your young talent at other positions rather than risking that talent on a trade for a veteran pitcher...
and here's another question, with Johan what's the Sox rotation?
Beckett, Johan, Schilling, Dice-K, Wakefield/Timlin/Buchholz?
in my opinion Dice-K is better than Schilling, but would Schilling's ego let him be a 4th starter?
Saturday, December 1, 2007
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
Arizona scores...
20-17 ASU with :47 to play...
Arizona is lined up for the onside kick...
ASU RECOVERS!!!! THAT'S THE GAME
oh and screw ESPN for not showing the kick and showing a commercial
10-2!!!! Great Season
be back tomorrow for the bowl selection show
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
2 mins to play
ASU has the ball on their own goal line...
1st Down- ball stopped just outside of a safety (1:51)
2nd Down- ball stopped at the goal line again (1:25)
3rd Down - ball stopped on the 2 yard line (1:21)
ASU has to punt...let's cross our fingers...
in other news...
Missouri is pretty much done in their game...
California vs Stanford
No band this year...
Coach Harbaugh has 2 legitimate wins this year on the road at USC and home against Cal
best of luck next year!
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
start of the fourth quarter ASU is up 13-7 to U of A
in other news...
Oklahoma is up 28-14 in the 3rd Quarter
Pitt is up 13-7 on WVU with 2 minutes left in the game
should WVU lose, does Ohio State move into the National Title game?
If Missouri also goes down who plays? Ohio State LSU? I've got an interesting idea... Ohio State vs USC for the National Title...
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
ASU blocks the FG attempt and will start the drive from their own 24
in other news...
Pitt is up 13-7 on WVU with 11 mins to play
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
monster punt return by Antoine Cason (this guy is for real, he'll def be playing on sunday)
UofA has the ball on the ASU 31 with 9:31 to play
in other news...
Pitt is deep in WVU territory threatening to go up 10 on the Mountaineers
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
ASU is forced to settle for a field goal and gives up a Time Out...
its funny as soon as I say i like the replay system they mess up a call...oh well
13-7 ASU mid 3rd Quarter
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
Great diving catch by Thompson to move ASU inside of the U of A 5 yard line
the play is under review...no way this is over turned
i'll take this opportunity to talk about the replay system in college football...I think that this is a great system, but it could use some work. I think there is still too much emphasis placed on the call that is made on the field. For example a call that is ruled incomplete is harder to overturn than one that is ruled a catch. that should be fixed...
the play stands!
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
the second half is underway...Arizona returns the ball to their own 40
INTERCEPTION ASU!!!!!!
Tuitama overthrew his receiver and ASU takes it back inside the U of A 40
also Missouri has tied it up in the 2nd quarter...
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
ASU is up 10-7 at the half...
i don't know what's wrong with our team, but at least we're not losing....
in other news
WVU (without Pat White) seems to have its handful with Pitt... possible upset maybe?
Oklahoma is up by 8 on Missouri in the mid-second quarter...
and Cal is down by 10 to Stanford?!...i bet Jeff Tedford is looking for the marching band...
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
at the end of the first quarter
Arizona leads 7-0...
Arizona State is playing dismal football...
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
I don't believe what I just saw...
2 Arizona DBs came on a rush and instead of taking a sack Rudy stepped in front of it and made a nice pass to Brad Miller... unfortunately no 1st down...another 3 and out
Arizona ball 6:09 to play
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona
Arizona scores... 7-0 U of A with 7:35 to play in the first
play action pass by Tuitama to the tight end...
ASU will start at the 20 yard line...
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona/ (17) Oregon vs Oregon State
Arizona has a 1st and goal with 9:26 in the 1st..
38-31 OSU
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona/ (17) Oregon vs Oregon State
ASU is forced to punt from their own 15 after being unable to convert on a 3rd down... 11:00 left in the 1st
Oregon State is held to 3 and out and is setting up for the field goal...
41 yard field goal attempt.....
it's up....and good!
here we go 2nd OT...
it's all knotted up at 31
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona/ (17) Oregon vs Oregon State
ASU forces Arizona to punt the ball with 12:29 to play in the first, apparently Arizona didn't convert the fourth down, they punted and ASU fumbled a screen pass... either way ASU has the ball back with 12:29 in the 1st
oregon is setting up for a field goal from 25 yards...its up and good!
31-28 Oregon
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona/ (17) Oregon vs Oregon State
from the little ticker on the top right of the screen Arizona just converted on 4th and 1 with 14:05 to play...
Oregon gets a first down inside of the 10 on a 3rd down conversion
its a weird mindset to be surprised that Oregon tied this game up, a few weeks ago they would've had 28 by halftime
(13) Arizona State vs Arizona/ (17) Oregon vs Oregon State
welcome to my live blogging of the ASU/UofA game
this blog will be a little delayed since the Oregon/Oregon State game has gone to Overtime
as a quick side note, is there anything better than College Football OT?
not only is it fair (each teams gets an equal chance to score), it also ups the ante as it goes to more OTs (starting in the 3rd you have to go for 2)
well...let's see how this one turns out...
(7) LSU vs (14) Tennessee
call me crazy, but I think Les Miles' rant this morning ("i am the head coach of LSU") may have won the game for LSU
imagine being an LSU player and hearing on College Gameday that your coach is leaving, that's got to get in your head, so by coming out and squashing the story Les Miles refocused his team
i think there should be a rule, similar to baseball's rule with the World Series, that no major announcement or changes can be made until after the National Title game. If that affects recruiting then the NCAA should change the recruiting process, because I think it is the only way for teams and players and coaches to focus on the season at hand and not b worrying about off the field issues.
(17) Oregon vs Oregon State
If I had a Heisman vote without any question it would be a vote for Dennis Dixon
when Dixon left the ASU game, it looked like ASU might be able to make a comeback
when Dixon left the UofA game, the game was over
without Dixon in the UCLA game, Oregon was shut out for the first time in 22 years
coincidence?
It is obvious that no player means more to their team than Dixon and Oregon. You could maybe make an argument for Tim Tebow, however with Tebow their team lost 3 games. Yes, the Heisman is a personal achievement award and wins and losses shouldn't really matter, but if that were the case then you couldn't argue against Colt Brennan. No player took control of a game like Dixon.
Next sunday when Tim Tebow holds the trophy in New York City, he should thank Dixon, or more importantly he should thank ASU's defense
(8) USC vs UCLA
The second half is just underway and USC is leading 17-7 and Karl may have just driven the final nail into his UCLA Coaching Coffin...
Karl just called a timeout with 13:56 to play in the second half. There is absolutely no excuse for this in a rivalry game with the Pac-10 title on the line for both teams, you cannot just blow these timeouts. It is coaching decisions like this that make the decision to fire coaches easier. Not going for easy points, and blowing timeouts. UCLA has made a habit of not using the clock right all season and it has cost them and as long as Karl is on the sideline it will continue to hurt them.
Welcome Back My Friends...
Welcome to my blog where we'll look at everything the world of sports has to offer...
always feel free to comment or send questions
glad you could make it to my blog and I hope you enjoy
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